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Commonly asked questions about master planning and the district's efforts.
Commonly asked questions about master planning and the district's efforts.
How did the buildings get so bad? Did the District ignore repairs?
No, in fact, the opposite is true. District maintenance staff continue to do their best to keep the schools safe and in the best shape possible. This includes spending thousands of dollars each year on basic and “Band-Aid” repairs to expensive, outdated systems that no longer function efficiently. However, due to space shortages and the building's effective lifespan, most repairs are no longer enough. The high school and elementary school are not ADA accessible. The district uses every square foot in each of the buildings. Continuing to spend money on repairs and makeshift modifications is not the best use of District dollars. The most cost-efficient, fiscally responsible action is to consider a long-term facility plan that accommodates the district for the next 75 years.
Can you provide me with an overview of this plan?
We developed a page that outlines several key points on the plan that can be found at the "Our Plan" page on our Master Planning Website.
Where can I find information on the current schools, including their age and enrollment capacity?
A chart of our facilities, which outlines their age, student capacity, recognition, and other details, can be found here.
With more people moving into Aurora, my home value is going up. If my home value goes up, does that mean I am paying more taxes for this bond issue?
A bond issue is essentially a “fixed sum levy.” It is subject to House Bill 920, so your taxes do not go up if the value of your home goes up. The schools cannot collect more than they are asking, regardless of how much your home is worth over time. As more houses and businesses are added in Aurora, the taxes associated with this bond would actually go down since you are taking the same fixed sum and spreading it over a larger tax base. This happens because there are more people who are helping to pay.
Will the new high school be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified or more energy efficient than our existing schools?
The new school will likely be LEED Silver Certified. Typically in new school construction, we design features that have a big impact on the indoor environment and energy consumption. For example, the indoor air quality is improved through the use of low-emitting materials which contain no or low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC’s are carbon compounds that become a gas at normal room temperatures and contribute to air pollution directly and through atmospheric photochemical reactions, produce secondary air pollutants such as ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate. Most new schools concentrate on using adhesives, sealants, paints, carpets, and composite woods throughout the building that are low-emitting. For energy and utility consumptions, the HVAC system will be energy efficient, provide the required fresh air requirements, and control the humidity to create a healthy and comfortable air quality. Additionally, water consumption is reduced significantly through the use of low flow fixtures and other measures. During the design and construction process there are a variety of “credits” the district can choose from to achieve LEED Silver Certification. Once the project enters design, the architects, engineers, and school district hold an “Eco-Charrette” to determine which credits will be chosen to be incorporated into the project.
LEED Certified buildings are more efficient than their non-certified counterparts.
How does enrollment growth and inflation affect this project?
During the 1990’s, Aurora grew from approximately 2000 to 3000 students in the district. With additional construction and growth in the community, we expect more students to enroll in the district, however, it would not be the same magnitude as in the 90’s. The project on the ballot allows room for growth in each of the buildings. Inflation guarantees that the project will only become more expensive the longer that the project is delayed.
What safety precautions are being considered for the design of the new school? Will it compromise the look of the building?
Responsible student security and safety techniques do not mean compromised building aesthetics. Design techniques that promote student safety and security include providing clear visibility to the front entry, good interior and exterior lighting, proper placement of security cameras, eliminating blindspots on the property and a secure vestibule to receive visitors. These are all methods that enhance security and do not compromise building aesthetics. Additional specifics can be considered as the project moves into its design phase.
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